SYDNEY -- A manhunt for two of NSW's most wanted criminals on the run near Wagga Wagga will resume more than 40 hours after the duo allegedly shot at police during a highway pursuit.

The wanted men, Gino Stocco, 57, and his son Mark Stocco, 35, sparked a massive police search when they allegedly shot at officers from their silver Nissan Navara 4WD near the southern NSW town about 2pm Friday.

One of the bullets fired from the 4WD hit the front grill of the police car, forcing officers to stop and allowing the men to get away, police said.

The men's Nissan was later found dumped in bushland in the area, just off the Hume Highway.